Graduates: You have not arrived

BY JEFF BENZIGER
Turlock Journal

POSTEDMay 31, 2013 10:38 p.m.

Students graduating from college this year overestimate their chances of getting well-paying, full-time jobs in their field of study, according to the results of a new survey by Accenture that compared their views with those of recent graduates.Apparently graduates also feel overqualified, too, when looking for work.That doesn't surprise me. We live in a society in which people, (especially young people) after years of government gimmies, have expected everything to come their way like a windfall.There are, of course, dues to pay. It takes years of hard work to get what your parents have.I have some advice for graduates entering the world that might improve their lives:• Most people never become millionaires, but it can be done by investing and working hard. Do what millionaires do. They usually don't bury themselves in credit debt and some even drive around beat-up cars.• You have not arrived. You have only started. It's rare for any of us to end up as a Bill Gates or Donald Trump. Humble yourself and picture yourself merely joining the end of a long line of work soldiers who've been marching their whole life, with those at the head of the line dropping to the side, tired and dying. That will be you someday.• Take responsibility and you'll be given responsibility in time. That means paying your bills on time.• Give your best effort in whatever you do. If you work at the Vintage Faire Mall, work as if you owned it. And honestly, you'll feel better about yourself if you do your best, no matter if you feel you're underpaid for the work you do.• You cannot blame others for you not making it. So to all you Occupy movement flakes, get a life, quit complaining and quit blaming corporate America for your failures. You have much to do so do it. No one is going to make it happen for you. If you want something in life, you must be intentional and as focused as a laser beam. And trust me, there is a world of distraction ready to break your concentration.• Grow up. If you like playing video games, great, but I don't know anybody who makes money doing it. And you may think it's cool to invest hundreds of dollars in body piercings and tattoos to look cool, but they don't impress those who are doing the hiring. They don't care how sexy you think you look. They just want you to do your job. (And some tats will keep you from getting that job).• Life is not ALL about you. Get outside of yourself. We live in a world of people who only love themselves and fail to see the need around them. Volunteer for a worthy cause. You'll be amazed at how your open eyes - and heart - will see need and want to help others.• Keep your word. That means if someone gives you a job, do it. Does anyone really have to tell you that you need to show up for work when you're scheduled to? (Even if all your friends are off to the lake on Saturday and you're scheduled to work that day). And when you're paid to do a job that means do it rather than talk to or text friends. You'll stand out among a generation of promise breakers and people will take notice.• Don't let others think for you and don't trust conventional wisdom. Walt Disney was called nuts for investing $12 million in a theme park called Disneyland. And question what your teachers feed you as the truth. If they don't encourage you to think for yourself, they have an agenda.• Seek some spiritual aspect to your life. The Bible is full of wisdom for life, not just preparation for the afterlife. He who dies with the most toys in life still dies - then what?• Take care of your body; it's the only one you'll get. Seems like a no-brainer for a teenager or a twenty-something but take a look around and see how many people who two or three decades later are pathetic physical specimens because of smoking, drug use, lack of exercise, poor food choices and sleep deprivation. Practice physical and mental discipline. Practice the art of denying yourself at least once a day.• Do something every now and then that challenges your comfort zone. Routine is the enemy of creativity.• Be respectful of others. Live by the Golden Rule: do unto others as you want them doing to you.• Appreciate what you've got. Studies reveal that happy people tend to be grateful for the little things in life. Smile. Have a personality that people want to be around. Don't live life so fast that you fail to smile when a child bats bashful eyes at you. Or that you fail to see flowers along the side of the road. And it goes without saying that you should -- no must - say "I love you" to family and close friends. Live without regrets.• Consider yourself blessed for the opportunity you have in the U.S. Whenever you feel sorry about your position in life, realize you're wealthy by world standards.• Know what's going on in the world - and question how it's presented in the media - and take a stand. Let your stand be ruled by logic, not emotion.How do you feel? Let Jeff know at jeffb@cerescourier.com